Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the immunoexpression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR) in 46 cases of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC). The expression of these biomarkers was compared with clinicopathologic parameters. Immunostaining was evaluated semi-quantitatively in the invasive front and tumor core. Scores were assigned based on the proportion of positive cells: 0 (0%), 1 (1%-10%), 2 (11%-50%) and 3 (>50%). The immunoexpression of uPA was not associated with clinical parameters. Regarding the histologic grade of malignancy, a higher expression of uPA was observed in cases of high-grade malignancy (P=.05) and worst mode of invasion (P=.03). As for uPAR, it was observed a higher expression in cases with locoregional recurrence (P=.04) and no significant differences were observed in relation to lymph node metastasis, clinical TNM staging, overall outcome, and histologic grade of malignancy. Overall, a higher expression of uPA and uPAR was observed at the invasive front of the tumor in relation to the tumor core (P<.001). These results suggest that uPA and uPAR are involved in the progression of OTSCC, participating mainly in the deepest region of the tumor.
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